Some More Great Books

Dear Editor: I had just finishing reading Father Lauder’s great column on what books most influenced him over the 45 years of his priesthood. In reflecting on what books were the most influential to me in my nine years of priesthood, I have come up with the following titles:

1. “The Shape of Catholic Theology” by Aidan Nichols — This is a great introductory text to all aspects of Fundamental and Dogmatic Theology. I had used it while I was a student in the North American College in Rome and I have used it time and again in preparing my own classes at Cathedral Prep, the Pastoral Institute and the Diaconate Formation Program. It clearly, concisely goes through a thoroughly Catholic understanding of Scripture, tradition and Magisterium. It formed the basis of my understanding of all theology.

2. “Clashing Symbols” by Michael Paul Gallagher — This book changed the way that I view our culture in general. I had the pleasure of having Father Gallagher as a professor in Rome at the Gregorian University and his work helped me realize that as a Christian, I am in the world and yet, not of the world.

3. “At the Origins of Modern Atheism” by Michael Buckley — This text helped me understand the mindset of much of our culture for the past several hundred years and helped me realize that without a deep, personal devotion to the Divine Person of Jesus Christ, I cannot make sense of a troubled world.

4. “Priests for the Third Millennium” by Timothy Dolan — This is a deeply personal book that I cherish because its author is one of the finest priests and people whom I have ever met. Archbishop Dolan was the Rector of the North American College when I was a student there and these were the conferences that I sat through and from which I learned the essence of priesthood and spirituality. I still pick up this book when I am troubled and need a spiritual renewal in my life. It is a classic that all priests should read!

5. “And Now I See” by Robert Barron — No one book has influenced my priesthood, my preaching and my teaching of theology as much as this fine, fine book. Father Barron touched on the essence of Christianity with his understanding of original sin and redemption and the place that we must have before God in the universe. So many homilies, conferences and classes had their inception from the thoughts gleaned from one of America’s greatest theologians.

These are just some of the great books that have helped to shape me as a priest, a teacher and preacher.

Father John Cush
Elmhurst

Dear Editor: This shares the name of a favorite book, regarding which I respectfully recommend you read and promote it if possible.

The name of the book is: “A Jesuit Off-Broadway” (Center Stage with Jesus, Judas, and Life’s Big Questions) by James Martin, S.J.

May I suggest that you speak to Father Martin personally about the book, finding him at America magazine, where he is acting publisher.

I recommend the book as a good anytime read. Its spirituality has nothing to do with the saccharin sanctity of the kind that would have us believe that, so given to mortification was a certain saint that even as an infant he would turn away from his mother’s breasts sacrificially! The baby saint probably just needed to be burped!
Instead, the book is like a rush of down-to-earth spirituality, a salty and peppery spirituality, a kind of fly on the nose of Jesus on the Cross that He couldn’t swat away spirituality, a true to life spirituality.

Read “A Jesuit Off-Broadway” and be amazed! P.S. Another great book by James Martin is “My Life With The Saints.”

Bruce Snowden
The Bronx

Dear Editor: After reading Father Lauder’s column, I thought of Gerald Vann’s “The Heart of Man,” from the Doubleday Image series, a theological treatment of the centrality of loving and working in the Christian life. It’s a powerful, inspirational, and practical guide.

Robert Muccigrosso
Brooklyn

Dear Editor: Two recent books are reportedly worth reading. One is Dinesh D’Sousa’s “Why Christianity Is So Great” and the other is “Ninety Minutes in Heaven.” I’m finishing the latter and reading bloggers, et al., on the former.

In the interim, D’Sousa is engaged in spirited debate. One of the problems in the debate is the anger some atheists often have about the subject of God. If God doesn’t exist, why all the fuss? Bill Donohue handles the subject in the latest edition of Catalyst featuring a Q-and-A format with D’Sousa. Meanwhile, D’Sousa has reportedly faced three atheist debaters in verbal combat. The score so far is D’Sousa 3, atheists 0; which hardly makes their side less angry. One blogger actually admitted hitting his mother for her belief in God. So much for secular infallibility and morality. Einstein at least believed in a God of order but not of love.

The second book (a Time best-seller) by a minister is an interesting read because he was angry too not about God’s non-existence and the evils of such belief taken too far, but about how God handles things, which is more to the point than total disbelief. You see the minister allegedly had a glimpse of Heaven when he was injured in an auto accident and declared dead a couple of times only to come back somehow. Like many who have experienced this happier world, he didn’t want to return to all the pain he’s had to suffer since. He was for a long time a very reluctant, angry miracle to other people’s faith, unceasing prayer and medical genius.

Jim O’Donnell
Flushing

A Diminished Church

Dear Editor: In every account of a priest placed on administrative leave after episodes of sexual abuse, my heart goes out to the victim, who had to have been frightened and bewildered by the experience. It must leave a mark that, while it can heal with the grace of God and a lot of love and concern by others, still must at least leave a scar that stays forever as a bitter reminder. Our Church should never have tolerated such things or tried to save the situation by transfers and “new starts.” It was all a terrible mistake and we are paying for it each time we read such an article as that which appeared in The Tablet (Dec. 8). Speaking for myself, I cannot conceive of a greater tragedy than the wounding of a child or a teenager by sexual abuse. Nowadays, the Church acts unhesitatingly in such cases and it is right in doing so. Bishop DiMarzio in particular has been forthright and determined in these efforts and I commend him for it, wholeheartedly.

And yet, when I read the name of the priest in question here, Msgr. George Zatarga, my heart broke. I know him very well and in recent times we have both been part of a special effort, working with Bishop Caggiano, in which one or two priests from each cluster meet and discuss where the fraternity of priests can go from this point in time. We meet in the cafeteria in Douglaston and the priests at each table discuss the needs of the diocese in the years to come. Finally, one of them gives a report of what the men at that table had to contribute and suggest. The compassion, faith, positive attitude and essential goodness of Msgr. Zatarga in these moments was always a very bright light in the darkness. He has been exactly the sort of man that God would want to be a priest in such a difficult moment in our Church’s history. It is a great sadness that his efforts cannot continue in this, as in the many other things he has done so well and so faithfully throughout his not-quite 40 years of priesthood.

So, what am I saying? That we should make exceptions to the rule when we genuinely like one man or another? That some of this is no big deal, really? That if it all happened a long time ago, we should forget about it? That it is enough if the man admits his mistake and regrets it? That the bishops are overdoing this “zero tolerance” thing? No, indeed!

All I’m saying is that I know Msgr. Zatarga and that the Diocese of Brooklyn is less rich by far when such a man can no longer serve us. We must pray for the victims and reach out to them all with the love of sisters and brothers. We should appreciate the efforts of our brothers, the bishops, and Bishop DiMarzio in particular in dealing with these problems with zeal and courage. However, we should never, not for one day, fail to pray for the priests who must pay a bitter price for their mistakes. They are our brothers too, and some of them, like Msgr. Zatarga, have been, despite everything else, despite what must be done in the name of a loving Savior, good brothers.

Father Anthony F. Raso
City Line

Bright Christmas Request

Dear Editor: Christmas time is just around the corner and just like many other parishes we are in need of a little help. Each year, our parish gives out 250 gifts to our children with the help of your Bright Christmas Fund. We would love to be able to do that again this year.

We are asking that once more you help us out, so that we can bring the smiles to those children and their families and make their Christmas maybe just a little bit more special. Your generosity and your great hearts are truly appreciated here at St. Pius V in Jamaica.

Father Luiz Antonio De Aguiar
Jamaica

Editor’s Note: Father De Aguiar is the administrator of St. Pius V parish.